ANCHORAGE – The Board of Agriculture and Conservation of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources issued a request for proposals regarding the Mt. McKinley Meat and Sausage plant in Palmer, Alaska. The plant is the only USDA-approved slaughter and processing facility in South-central Alaska.

The agency said preference will be given to bidders who plan to continue slaughter and processing operations at the property. Currently, the plant is an asset of the Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund, a program that supports development of agriculture in Alaska by providing moderate interest rate loans.

The plant employs inmates from the Dept. of Corrections under the Alaska Correctional Industries program, in addition to three state employees — two production managers and one plant manager. USDA provides meat inspection and grading.

State funds for plant operations are slated to run out on June 30, 2017.